Media file distribution with adaptive transmission protocols

Abstract

A server / client media file distribution system is provided in which the server system is adapted to receive transmission requests from clients, status information from a network, and protocol information from each client. The server, based upon this information, adaptively transmits a given media file stored therein to one or more clients using the optimal transmission speed and / or network protocol based on the network status information and protocol information. Additionally, the present invention provides a looping file arrangement in which a plurality of clients can receive the same media file on multiple network channels, without the need to provide multiple copies of the same media file for each request of that file.

Description

[0001]The present invention is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 08 / 956,743 filed Oct. 24, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,370,139 and assigned to the same assignee.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to media file distribution, and, more particularly, to a media file distribution system with adaptive transmission protocols in a networked client / server environment which provides automated, highly compressed, user-selectable media file distribution. Particular utility of the present invention is in less-than real-time server-client audio / video file distribution over conventional networks; although the present invention has equal utility in still image and / or high-resolution image file data distribution (e.g., x-ray, MRI, etc.).[0004]2. Description of Related Art[0005]Multimedia file distribution systems, which include distribution of audio and / or video information, are well known in the art. Examples include video...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]Additionally, the present invention provides a looping file arrangement in which a plurality of clients can receive the same media file on multiple network channels, without the need to provide multiple copies of the same media file for each request of that file. Also, the present invention provides multiple-level encryption technology that permits the server system to fully control both access and use of a given media file.

Problems solved by technology

This can quickly lead to saturated networks, degrading the quality of the streaming video received, as well as impacting other users and uses of the network.

Packets in a UDP session, may be received out of sequence and may even be lost.

However, this art has not overcome the aforementioned problems: either the bandwidth requirements for multiple client access are too large, or the transmission protocol becomes unreliable.

Moreover, the prior art is incapable of providing a system which can analyze client transmission demands and adaptively adjust the transmission protocols to most effectively accommodate a plurality of users.

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